© Bluestronomical Publishing Inc. 2009

Joanne Shaw Taylor
White Sugar
Ruf Records #10347114727

It seems to be a natural thing for many overseas artists to come to America, record a CD and hitch up with Ruf Records to widen their net in capturing an American fan-base. And, the chances are pretty good if you are an attractive blond who can play hot guitar licks putting her in the same league as other female players.

Enter Joanne Shaw Taylor, a singer/songwriter/blues guitarist who hails from England. At the mere age of 23 years old she is causing quite a stir with electrifying live performances. Touring with only a few dates in America probably isn't fair if you only are getting a fix of her CD entitled White Sugar.

When you're a young schoolgirl being exposed to the sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, it can build a foundation for a true calling. It did in Shaw's case and she has never looked back.

White Sugar is a fairly strong debut for Joanne. Although there are some tunes that are fillers and are stale in musicality, it doesn't matter. Shaw's guitar playing is in the spotlight.

The original compositions are strong. The influence of SRV casts its shadow over the 12 bar stanzas of "Blackest Day" which is Tin Pan Alley Blues with Shaw squeezing blues notes wrathed in hickory smoke. "Time Has Come," if performed live would most likely garner a lot of applause, for Joanne just tears it up, combining the influences of Vaughan, Collins and Hendrix into a potpourri of licks that scream, rave and burn.

"Bones" and "Watch 'Em Burn" are hard-driving blues rock shuffles with Joanne soloing wildly against the steadfast rhythm section of bassist David Smith and drummer Steve Potts. Shaw races through the pleading "Who Do You Want Me To Be" that is an outright rocker with few slowdowns.

On the back of the CD is a caption File Under Blues. Either that's a message for music store distributors to put the CD in the right music section or it's an act of defiance against the blues Nazis who feel Joanne is too loud for their tastes. Regardless, she will have an audience no matter where she plays. The wait begins.

- Gary Weeks -


Southwest Blues CD Review - July 2009

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